Richest pastors in the world and their worth

Forbes magazine has released list of richest pastors in the world with the founder and General Overseer of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo leading other pastors of the world.

The top ten include Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Believers’ Love World; T.B Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations; and Pastor A.E Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.

However, some others are also wealthy, like the south African Ray Maccauley, former bouncer in night clubs, also professional bodybuilder, 3rd place in World Bodybuilder Championship in 1974, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger; the American Joel Osteen a televangelist pastor and author of many Christian books; the Zimbabwean Uebert Angel(39 years), who was the 2nd Zimbabwean to appear on The world’s richest people, in Forbes magazine since 2007.

There is also Nigerians like Ayodele Oritsejafor, Founder of ABN, Christian channel broadcasted via satellite in 75 countries, David Oyedepo who has private jets and houses in London and USA; the former singer of 80s and hopeless presidential runner Chris Okotie, and Mathew Ashimolowo who heads a big Pentecostal congregation in UK.

Americans like the famous Rick Warren, a very influential person in USA, often invited in conferences at Havard University, World Economic Forum, even in African Union, and also friend to some influential african presidents, have millions of dollars. He is with the former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, Pat Robertson on TV, AND THE Brazilian Eric Macedo.

Meanwhile, only two women pastors can appear among millionaires, these are the South African televangelist Irene Tshifhiwa, and the afro-american Juanitha Binum, who is also author, singer and actress, with a background in hairdressing and flights.

Top ten of the world

10. Joseph Prince, Malaysia – $5 Million

Head of the largest church in the all of Asia and netting a salary of $550,000 a year, Prince was born to a Sikh priest and previously employed as an IT consultant, his unlikely career has garnered a grand following worldwide from his native Malaysia to the United States. This popularity is partially thanks to such friends as Joel Osteen of Lakewood Megachurch who has hosted a number of his sermons.

9. T.B. Joshua, Nigeria – $10 Million

Considered a Prophet by most of his congregation; Joshua has a unique and notable influence in his native country of Nigeria, able to cure AIDS, paralysis, and some cancers. While primarily preaching from his home city of Lagos, Joshua has a history of sending “Anointed Water” to thousands of individuals worldwide, most notably during the recent Ebola crisis. He is founder of the Synagogue- Church of all nations.

8. Billy Graham, USA– $25 Million

Once called by many as “America’s Pastor”, Billy Graham is among the most well known and long-lived pastors on the planet. Born in 1918, he has been a presence for many historic events of the past two generations. From bailing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr out of jail during the fight for Civil Rights, to directly writing and supporting Nixon during the Vietnam war, he has always been quite political minded.

7. Kenneth Copeland, USA – $25 Million

Best known for his messages about prosperity and abundance, it appears Copeland can reference quite a bit of firsthand experience. Copeland has had a lifelong love for flying as well, which allowed him after conversion to become the personal pilot of Oral Roberts before starting his own ministry and owning his own private jet (admittedly paid for by church donations). Copeland and his family also reside in a $6.3 million estate(on 600 hectares), where television audiences are invited to sit around the table with the family on “Believers Voice of Victory”.

6. Creflo Dollar, USA – $27 Million

With Dollar in his name, was there any doubt this pastor would appear on such a list? Known as one of the flashiest of American Ministers, he owns a Rolls Royce, multiple $2.5 million dollar estates and in recent years been given an F by the Ministry Watch for financial transparency. He like quite a few of his comrades in this list preaches almost exclusively the “prosperity” gospel.

5. E. A .Adeboye, Nigeria – $39 Million

Enoch Adejare Adeboye began his career in preaching while still maintaining a professorship at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Ph.D. in mathematics, his Redeemed Christian Church of God works in over 100 countries.

4. Benny Hinn, Israel/USA – $42 Million

Benny Hinn is perhaps the most openly controversial of any American Televangelist. Publicly claiming a gospel that empowers “faith healing”. Followers of his teachings believe that if they are prayed over, they can be healed of any malady: he claims able to restore sight to blind, hearing to deaf and cure diseases like cancer and AIDS

3. Chris Oyakhilome, Nigeria– $50 Million

“Pastor Chris” has an incredibly busy schedule to go with his wealth. He owns three separate television channels that garner up to 2.5 million views per nightly event. As is common for someone with the “faith healing” gospel, there is some backlash, particularly from the Treatment Action Campaign against his claims of faith healing AIDS. His sermons can be followed in more than 143 languages

2. Bishop T.D. USA, Nigeria – $147 Million

Pastor, film producer and writer, head of the Potter’s House Megachurch and Potter’s Touch television program, T.D. Jakes is a common face on many national broadcast stations. Most of his wealth has originated in sales of his gospel music, books and numerous syndicated appearances. As it turns out, T.D. Jakes is also of Nigerian heritage, which was proven when he allowed for his DNA to be tested for a PBS program.

1. Bishop David Oyedepo, Nigeria – $150 Million

Coming in as a supposed host of the Holy Ghost with the most, Bishop David Oyedepo heads the single largest church in the world, Winners’ Chapel, which seats 50,000. As one of the main founders of the Nigerian Christian Charismatic movement, he also exerts control over churches in 45 African nations, as well as several in Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States.